From indie darling to period-drama powerhouse, Elle Fanning has grown up in front of the camera, building a career that firmly stands on her own. Known for performances in The Great, Maleficent, and a string of critically acclaimed roles, she has long stepped out of the shadow of her older sister, Dakota Fanning. However, in a candid moment, the actress found herself walking back down the lane where it all began, casually calling herself a “nepo sister.”

But before you read too much into it, here is what Fanning actually meant when she dropped that line.

Appearing on SmartLess (Episode 299, released March 30, 2026), hosted by Jason Bateman, Sean Hayes, and Will Arnett, Elle Fanning opened up about her early days in Hollywood while discussing her career and Sentimental Value, reflecting on how closely her journey was tied to her sister, Dakota Fanning. Calling herself a “nepo sister,” she explained it in a lighthearted way, admitting she was more of a copycat than anything else, often following Dakota Fanning onto film sets and absorbing everything around her, from performances to the atmosphere itself, which naturally drew her toward acting.

“I really was a copycat… I call myself like a ‘Nepo sister’ in a way because I completely just copied her because I would visit her on sets all the time.” Fanning shared this on SmartLess during the March 30, 2026 episode.

Before stepping into the gown of Princess Aurora in Maleficent, Fanning was just three years old when she first stepped into the spotlight, debuting as the younger version of Dakota Fanning’s character in I Am Sam in 2001. 

From there, Elle Fanning’s journey continued steadily, growing from a child performer into a recognisable face through films like Daddy Day Care and Babel, before stepping into more defining roles in Somewhere, Super 8, and Ginger & Rosa, finally gaining global recognition as Princess Aurora in Maleficent (2014), a path that soon became entirely her own.

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Meanwhile, moving beyond her playful “copycat” revelation, Elle Fanning’s pace does not seem to slow down even for a moment, as she stands fully ready with a packed 2026 and 2027 slate filled with standout projects.

As Elle Fanning continues to secure her place among Hollywood’s most compelling performers, 2026 already feels like a defining chapter in her journey. Leading the moment is Margo's Got Money Troubles, where she steps into the role of Margo Millet, marking a bold television turn set to premiere on April 15, followed closely by her entry into the expanding world of The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping, where she takes on the iconic role of Effie Trinket, placing her right at the centre of one of the year’s most anticipated cinematic universes.

And if 2026 already sets the tone, 2027 is shaping up to surprise even more. Reuniting with Dakota Fanning for the first time on screen, Elle leads The Nightingale, a WWII drama set for February 12, marking a long-awaited collaboration between the sisters. Alongside this, she continues to expand her range with projects like Discretion and I Am Sybil, making it clear that her next phase is not just bigger, but deeper. 

Meanwhile, as Fanning gears up to share the screen with Dakota Fanning for the first time, her playful “copycat” remark now feels less like a throwaway line and more like a full-circle moment in a journey that is only getting bigger

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What do you think about Elle Fanning calling herself a “nepo sister”? Let us know in the comments.